Sophia Ella Fletcher Tipton 1859-1943

FLETCHER, TIPTON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/8/2009 at 00:20:59

Onawa Democrat
7 October 1943

Obituary of Sophia Ella Fletcher, Died September 28, 1943

Sophia Ella Fletcher, daughter of Elza and Elizabeth Fletcher was born near Glenwood, Mo. October 1st, 1859, where she attended the rural schools and grew to young womanhood. She died at the Onawa hospital on Sept 28th, 1943 at the age of 83 years, 11 months and 27 days having been an invalid for the past 4 years. On November 28, 1880 she was united in marriage to Wm. P Tipton. To this union 6 children were born, two of them preceded her in death, Edward, who died in infancy. Ortho who passed away in 1905 at the age of 21 years. She was truly one of the pioneers of Monona County, having resided in the county for 60 years. She came here by train in the spring of 1883, her husband coming through with a team and wagon, They started farming about two miles east of Castana where they reemianed for one or two years, moving then to the vicinity of Ute and So0ldier, where for a few years her husband was engaged in county road and bridge work, later returning to farming. There during the 80's and the douth and depression of the 90's she encountered both the pictures and hardships of the early pioneers. During all those years she proved herself a loving wife and mother. No task was too hard and no sacrifice to great for her to make for her family. In the spring of 1900 they bought and moved to a 40 acre farm South West of Maple Landing. Here by hard work and strict economy little by little they acquired more land and built up a nice home. In the spring of 1922 they moved to a home of their own in Onawa to spend their declining years, but here on August 19, 1926 her husband passed away. Mrs Tipton then being somewhat alone and still longing for the farm life returned with her son Tom in 1929 to another farm near Maple Landing. There she continued to keep house until about four years ago when ill health forced her to give up all active duties. She has since remained in the home of her son and part time in the home of her daughter, Mrs Hileman, being cared for by two of her daughters and other help when she could get them. During her illness, though suffering but little pains, she was practically confined to her bed or wheel chair, yet she bore her troubles patiently and with little complaining. Where ever she has lived she has been considered a good neighbor and her friends were numbered by her acquaintance. A few weeks ago she began growing gradually worse in the home of her daughter where she was cared for by two of her daughters. On Sept 27 realizing that the end was near her children moved her to the Onawa hospital for better care, where she passed away on Sept 28, 1943. Her son and two of her daughters were with her in her last hours. Survivors include her son, Thos E of Whiting, Iowa; three daughters, Mrs Nellie Miles of Paulina, Iowa; Mrs Pearl McClain of Atwater